Sonication-assisted drug encapsulation in layer-by-layer self-assembled gelatin-poly (styrenesulfonate)...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Drug delivery systems require precise control over formulation parameters.
• Layer-by-Layer (LbL) self-assembly offers a versatile method for creating nanoscale structures.
• Optimizing LbL parameters is crucial for developing effective drug carriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a Layer-by-Layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte self-assembled nanocrystalline drug-delivery platform.
• To investigate the impact of the number of coatings and deposition temperature on formulation characteristics.
• To characterize the optimized formulation for its potential in drug delivery applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Layer-by-Layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte self-assembly.
• Varied experimental factors including number of coatings and deposition temperature.
• Assessed formulation properties using zeta potential, particle size analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Main Results:

• Optimized formulation (Fopt) demonstrated charge reversal and increased particle size, confirming successful polyelectrolyte coating on drug nanocrystals.
• FT-IR and DSC analyses indicated no incompatibility or changes in formulation properties during preformulation and stability studies.
• SEM provided morphological insights into the self-assembled nanocrystalline structure.

Conclusions:

• The developed LbL polyelectrolyte self-assembled nanocrystalline platform is a promising drug delivery system.
• The study successfully optimized formulation parameters, ensuring stability and structural integrity.
• The characterized formulation exhibits favorable properties for potential therapeutic applications.